Akatsuki Stirs

The funeral of the Third Hokage of Konoha had just ended when two strangely dressed individuals appeared on the outskirts of Konoha. They wore black trench coats embroidered with red clouds, brown conical hats with wind chimes, rings bearing their code names, and black and missing-nin nail polish on their Forehead Protector and toes. One of them was shorter and thinner, while the other was very tall. The thinner man's Forehead Protector bore the symbol of Konoha, while the taller man's Forehead Protector bore the symbol of Kirigakure.

"Although it escaped destruction, it suffered heavy damage. The losses are considerable. I never imagined that the once prosperous and powerful village would become like this. It's truly pitiful," said Uchiha Itachi.

"That doesn't sound like you at all... Even if it is true, do you still have any attachment to your hometown?" Kisame Hoshigaki teased.

"No, not at all..." Itachi said calmly.

The two sank simultaneously, continuing their journey towards Konoha. The guarding ninjas they encountered along the way were all dispelled by Itachi's Genjutsu.

Before long, the two had entered Konoha.

"Something's strange, Itachi. This doesn't seem like a village nearly destroyed by war. The villagers' faces seem full of hope. Is this what a village should look like after an attack? Something's not right," Kisame Hoshigaki muttered.

"Hmm, isn't the fear Orochimaru has instilled in this village enough?" Itachi said calmly, clearly having also noticed the strangeness in the village.

"Let's find somewhere to eat something, Itachi..." Kisame said.

"Hmm, let's go with that little shop over there that sells dango," Itachi said.

So the two went to the dumpling shop, ordered some food and drinks, and had a simple meal.

It was peak time for people to pass by, and there were quite a few people around the shop. The villagers' conversation also attracted Itachi and Kisame.

"Have you heard? The village's Lord Third has been buried." A villager said somberly, clearly deeply saddened by the Third's death.

"Don't be sad, buddy. Even so, our village has produced another genius ninja. He's known as the village's Star of Hope," a villager comforted him.

"Oh, you're talking about that genius ninja, right? I know him! That day, I was fortunate enough to witness his power. He transformed into a fire giant over thirty meters tall in an instant, and all enemies were no match for him!" Another villager chimed in.

"Really? You didn't run away, did you?"

"H-How could this be? Although I was being chased by a Sunagakure ninja, that person saved me. I was really lucky."

"Is that so? But the information you have isn't very impressive yet. There's a Chunin Konoha living next to my house who I heard watched that person fight the Jonin the Sunagakure squad. He used Fire Style to burn that person unconscious in three rounds—no, in one round."

"Tch, that's nothing. There's something even more powerful. I only overheard it quietly. Do you guys know Sannin, one of the legendary Orochimaru who defected from Konoha?"

"Yes, I know him. Isn't he the main figure in this attack? What's wrong?"

"I heard that the evil Orochimaru used a forbidden technique to summon the deceased First Hokage and Second Hokage. Guess what happened in the end..."

"What's wrong? Tell me..."

"That's right, that's right..."

"Haha, I'm not too sure either, but I heard that sir sealed away the resurrected First Hokage and Second Hokage. Isn't that amazing? What does that mean? It means that sir is incredibly powerful. I'm sure that sir might become the next Hokage."

"Really? That's unlikely. I heard that person is only twelve years old, not even an adult yet. Although I also hope that person can become Hokage, those adults wouldn't let a twelve-year-old become Hokage. There's always the next generation of Hokage."

"Cut..."

"Oh, Konoha has produced another extraordinary genius. Twelve years old, the same age as your younger brother, Itachi. Perhaps he is your younger brother, after all, you two inherited the same bloodline," Kisame said with a sinister smile.

"No, it shouldn't be my foolish younger brother. He didn't have the strength to fight and survive the Impure World Reincarnation First Hokage and Second Hokage. It must be someone else. Konoha is truly a place where talents abound. I wonder if I know that genius boy. He reminds me of myself back then," Itachi said calmly.

"Oh, that's interesting. You didn't know? I'm so curious..."

"Someone's coming..." Itachi warned.

Kakashi watched Itachi and Kisame, dressed strangely, leaning against the entrance of the dango shop, observing these two suspicious figures. One of them was none other than the defector Uchiha Itachi.

"Hey, it's Kakashi! What are you doing here?" Asuma and Kurenai were having a romantic chat when they spotted Kakashi standing in front of the dango shop and couldn't help but greet him.

"Oh, it's Kurenai and Asuma. Hmm, I'm waiting for Sasuke. You two seem to get along well?" Kakashi teased, glancing into the dango shop as he spoke.

"Ah, it's nothing, we were just buying Anko for Anko..." Asuma said, blushing. Of course, he had also noticed two unidentified figures in the dumpling shop who had vanished in an instant. Pretty impressive, huh? What were they doing in Konoha?

Then Asuma and Red went with the two of them.

"Hey, who are you people? What are you doing in Konoha at this time? If you can't explain yourself, I won't let you leave," Asuma said, puffing on his cigarette.

"Tch, you underestimate me, Itachi. It seems the people of this village don't welcome you. You've already been ostracized by them," Kisame said with a sinister smile.

"Hmm, you don't even recognize me? You should at least say hello when you meet." Itachi gradually revealed his true form.

"You... you're Itachi! What are you doing back here, you murderer who killed your own people? What ulterior motive are you plotting? You won't succeed!" Red said in surprise.

"No, don't underestimate him. He's a man who became the head of the Anbu at the age of thirteen," Asuma said nervously.

"Oh, you're quite famous, Itachi," Kisame said.

"I know you. You're Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, right? You were listed as an S-rank wanted person for failing to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Water and for defecting after disrupting the country's order," Kurenai said, looking at Kisame.

"You seem to know quite a lot," Kisame sneered.

"Since you're here, this time, we'll keep you here," Asuma said confidently.

Kurenai launched her attack on Itachi first, pulling Itachi into her Genjutsu world. Itachi was then bound to a tree and unable to move, while Kurenai's body appeared above Itachi.

"This will end you..." Red thrust her Shuriken towards Itachi's neck.

"Is that all?" Itachi said indifferently.

The next moment, Kurenai became the one being bound, and Itachi launched an attack on Kurenai Yuhi. However, Kurenai Yuhi was a master of Genjutsu and wouldn't be so easily defeated by Itachi. In the next instant, Kurenai dodged Uchiha Itachi's attack and emerged from the Genjutsu world.

"As expected of Red..." Itachi said calmly.

On the other side, the battle between Kisame and Asuma was also intense.

As soon as Kisame's weapon Samehada appeared, it pulled on Asuma's arm. Asuma was very surprised by Kisame's strength. Kisame used only one hand to wield the sword and overpowered Asuma's full strength with both hands. But Asuma would not give up so easily. His weapon, Flying Swallow, was imbued with the sharpness of the wind attribute and cut Kisame's face in one attack.

"Yo, not bad. In that case, Chou-Shen-Mao-Zi-Hai-You-Chou-Wu-You-Zi-Yin-Xu-Yin-Si-Chou-Wei-Si-Hai-Wei-Zi-Ren-Shen-You-Chen-You-Chou-Wu-Wei-Yin-Si-Zi-Shen-Mao-Hai-Chen-Wei-Zi-Chou-Shen-You-Ren-Zi-Hai-You, Water Release - Water Dragon Bullet Technique!!!" Kisame used a Water Release attack.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!!!" Kakashi appeared just in time, copying Kisame's Ninjutsu.

Two water dragons rose from the riverbank where they fought, and then perished together.

"Oh, you actually used the Water Release: Kirigakure. Hmm, your eyes are the same as Itachi's. This is the first time I've seen someone with the same eyes as Itachi. You must be Kakashi Hatake Copy Ninja." Kisame said, looking at the ninja who had suddenly appeared.

"Why are you here too, Kakashi?" Kurenai asked Kakashi, standing on the water.

"I was a little worried about sending just the two of you, so I came over right after Sasuke left. Uchiha Itachi, I'll be your opponent. Kurenai, you two step back; he's not someone you can handle," Kakashi said.

"Kisame, you shouldn't make a move either. You're making too much noise and alerting the other ninjas, which wouldn't be good. After all, we have a purpose," Itachi said.

"Is that Sasuke?" Kakashi asked.

"No, no, it's someone else, a legacy left by the Fourth," Uchiha Itachi said calmly.

"What? Could it be that I know? You're... Akatsuki?" Kakashi suddenly remembered what Jiraiya had told him: Orochimaru had once joined this organization. It consisted of nine people, all of whom were dangerous individuals listed as S-rank wanted by various ninja villages. They were engaged in espionage, assassination, and intelligence gathering. Now, they had actually shown themselves, and their target was Naruto, or rather, the Nine-Tails. What were they up to?

Itachi and Kisame exchanged a glance.

"Since you know that, then we can't leave. I'll finish you off. Although you also possess the Sharingan and use it so skillfully, you don't have Uchiha body. Using the Sharingan will put a heavy burden on your body." Itachi activated his Sharingan.

Kakashi was startled and hurriedly said, "Kurenai, Asuma, quickly close your eyes! Only I, with my identical eyes, can defeat him. Open your eyes only when I tell you to."